Services

Services

Once you provide the idea for your personal history project, Past-to-Present will embark on eight steps to transform your idea into a unique book.

STEP 1 - DETERMINE THE PROJECT'S SCOPE & BUDGET

STEP 2 - CONDUCT INTERVIEWS

STEP 3 - COLLECT & ORGANIZE CLIENT'S MATERIAL and prepare for printing

STEP 4 - PERFORM RESEARCH

STEP 5 - SECURE PERMISSION to use copyrighted material

STEP 6 - COMPOSE MANUSCRIPT

STEP 7 - DESIGN COVER & INTERIOR LAYOUT

STEP 8 - ARRANGE PRINTING

STEP 1: DETERMINE PROJECT’S SCOPE & BUDGET:

After the project’s scope and budget are determined, Past-to-Present will deliver a proposal—including cost and time estimates.

STEP 2: CONDUCT INTERVIEWS:

Interviews (preferably in-person) will be audio-taped, with an option of videotaping. 

Past-to-Present staff will travel to conduct the interviews if necessary.

STEP 3: COLLECT & ORGANIZE CLIENT’S MATERIAL & PREPARE FOR PRINTING:

For a family history book, material in a client’s possession might include:

  • Documents (such as vital records, immigration papers, letters, journals, diplomas and recipes) 
  • Photographs
  • Memorabilia & Heirlooms (such as furniture, jewelry, china, art, books, religious objects, clothing and quilts)
Preparing material for printing may require translating foreign language documents, photographing objects and restoring damaged photos or documents.

For a family history book, material in a client’s possession might include:

  • Documents (such as vital records, immigration papers, letters, journals, diplomas and recipes) 
  • Photographs
  • Memorabilia & Heirlooms (such as furniture, jewelry, china, art, books, religious objects, clothing and quilts)
Preparing material for printing may require translating foreign language documents, photographing objects and restoring damaged photos or documents.

STEP 4: ENGAGE IN RESEARCH:

Past-to-Present will search relevant genealogical and historical sources.

For instance, for a family history project:

GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH: discover information about a client’s ancestors using genealogical databases, U.S. government sources and library records.

Develop a family tree, determine where a client’s ancestors emigrated from, how and when they arrived in America & locate records such as ship passenger lists, naturalization certificates and vital records.

HISTORICAL RESEARCH: determine how a family’s history fits in the historical and social context of the time.

Unearth information about the major events of the time as well as details about everyday life.

Locate photographs, newspaper articles, maps etc…to illustrate the happenings of the era. 

STEP 5: SECURE PERMISSION TO USE COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL:

Seek the right to reproduce material that is not in the public domain or subject to the doctrine of “fair use.”

STEP 6: WRITE MANUSCRIPT:

Write and deliver a draft of the project’s manuscript for client review and approval.  

STEP 7: DESIGN COVER AND INTERIOR LAYOUT:

Present proposed cover and interior layout for client approval.

STEP 8: ARRANGE PRINTING & SELF-PUBLISHING:

Proceed with printing and delivery of the book. 

To discuss your project and receive a price estimate, contact: moller.alexandra@gmail.com or 917-734-6508